Governor Evers grants commutations to 14 people in Wisconsin

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 02:31 · Archive

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has granted commutations to 14 people, the first such grants by a Wisconsin governor since Tommy Thompson.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers granted commutations to 14 people on Friday, the first such grants by a Wisconsin governor since Tommy Thompson, who served from 1987 to 2001. Evers signed two executive orders earlier this year to reinstate the state's commutation process for the first time in decades.

The Governor's Commutation Advisory Board heard 24 people at public hearings and recommended 14 for commutations, with 10 applications denied. Among those granted commutations are Michael Maldonado, who was 15 when he helped obtain a gun used in a 1994 Jefferson County murder-for-hire and was sentenced to life in prison; Sammy Cole, convicted of armed robbery in Calumet County; and Amanda Weaver, convicted of burglary in Marinette County in 2007 and 2008. Weaver, who has served 17 years of her 30-year sentence, had her sentence changed to allow for immediate release from confinement followed by two years of extended supervision.

Unlike a pardon, which restores civil rights and offers forgiveness after a full sentence is served, a commutation may shorten or change a sentence but does not necessarily mean the person will be released immediately or have their sentence reduced. Evers told the Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau that commutations were among the most important things he has worked on recently and indicated he plans further grants before leaving office. State Senator Eric Wimberger criticised the decision, saying those granted commutations 'all deserve their punishments'.

How it is being reported

• Evers grants commutations to 14 people in WisconsinWisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday he granted commutations to 14 people.WSAW · 15 Nov, 02:06
• Evers grants 14 commutations, Wisconsin’s first in decadesGov. Tony Evers granted 14 commutations Friday, the first in Wisconsin in decades.WBAY · 14 Nov, 04:27
• Evers grants 14 commutations, first by a Wisconsin governor since ThompsonMichael Maldonado, Sammy Cole are among those granted commutationsWBAY · 13 Nov, 18:14

In this story: Tony Evers · Tommy Thompson · Michael Maldonado · Sammy Cole · Amanda Weaver · Wisconsin · Governor's Commutation Advisory Board

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log